Hanging in space

NASA's first space shuttle mission in almost a year is floating smoothly despite some unwanted pieces of debris seen through improved launch imagery. Three space excursions are on tap for the seven-member Discovery crew.

On the first space walk, Astronauts Piers J. Sellers and Michael E. Fossum hang from a 100-foot arm and extension work platform called the Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Booster Sensor System. Their spacewalk lasted 7 hours and 31 minutes.

Debris

More than 100 high-definition, digital, film and video cameras scrutinized the Discovery launch and found that very small pieces of material in the shuttle assembly fall off. Here's a piece of debris caught falling off at liftoff (red arrow).

Underside

An inspection of Discovery was planned even before the small pieces of debris were detected falling from the shuttle during launch. After examining the photos, NASA scientists downplayed any danger to the shuttle.

International Space Station

Discovery brings 28,000 pounds of equipment and supplies--plus a third crew member--to the International Space Station. In this photo from Discovery, you can see the solar arrays and two Russian spacecraft already docked to the space station.

Earning astronaut rations

Astronaut Piers J. Sellers makes an improvement on a section of the International Space Station.

Ice in space

This chunk of ice seen floating near the Discovery is believed to have come from the orbiter's main engine nozzles.

Ice in space

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor for ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic Pro and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. He was most recently Head Technology Editor for TechRepublic. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager and desktop support technician in the social research and energy i...
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